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AVANTI SAVOIA! - WW2-Area

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Polish Forces, Italy 1944<br />

“For this action let the lion spirit enter your hearts, keep deep in your heart God, honour and our land — Poland! Go<br />

and take revenge for all the suffering in our land, for what you have suffered for many years in Russia and for years of<br />

separation from your families!” ~ General Anders, addressing the troops before Monte Cassino.<br />

2nd Polish Corps Formation<br />

General Wladislaw Sikorski, the head of the Polish<br />

government in exile in London negotiated with the Soviet<br />

government to free the Poles detained in the USSR to form<br />

a new army. After the agreement was signed in 1941 two<br />

new Polish infantry divisions were formed. Major General<br />

Wladislaw Anders, a former prisoner, was appointed to<br />

command the new army. In December 1941 it was decided<br />

to expand the Polish army to six divisions, of which 25,000<br />

was transferred to the west. A move to Iran started in March<br />

1942, with a further contingent in August.<br />

Now in the Middle East, the Poles went through a phase of<br />

reorganisation and training leading to a new title of Polish<br />

Army in the East. The Independent Carpathian Rifle<br />

Brigade, which had served with distinction at Tobruk and<br />

the Western Desert, became the 3rd Carpathian Rifle<br />

Division. Other new formations were the 5th “Kresowa”<br />

Infantry Division, the 2nd Armoured Brigade and the 2nd<br />

Artillery Group. In June 1943 the force was re-designated<br />

the 2nd Polish Corps. At the Quebec conference in August<br />

1943, Churchill decided to send the 2nd Polish Corps to<br />

Italy.<br />

In July and august of 1943, the 2nd Polish Corps moved to<br />

Palestine for final training. This consisted of manoeuvres in<br />

the mountainous regions to climatize the troops to the<br />

terrain they would encounter in Italy.<br />

Due to manpower shortages, both divisions were comprised<br />

of only two infantry brigades. The 3rd Division had the 1st<br />

and 2nd Carpathian Rifle Brigades, and the 5th Division<br />

had the 5th “Wilenska” and the 6th “Lwowska” Infantry<br />

Brigades.<br />

The rest of the divisional order of battle followed along<br />

British lines, i.e. 3 field artillery regiments, 1 anti-tank and<br />

1 anti-aircraft artillery regiment, 1 reconnaissance regiment<br />

– 12th “Podolski” Lancers in the 3rd Division and the 15th<br />

“Poznanski” Lancers in the 5th Division and all the other<br />

support and service units of an infantry division. The<br />

Corps’s 2nd Armoured Brigade consisted of 3 armoured<br />

regiments and supporting units.<br />

Replacing battle causalities became a severe problem for<br />

the Polish high command. The Polish infantry suffered<br />

heavy causalities, especially at Cassino. This caused<br />

commanders to scrape the bottom of the barrel for<br />

replacements, due to the Polish Government’s policy of<br />

deploying the corps together. To solve this problem,<br />

reinforcements were enlisted from Poles who had been<br />

forced into the service of the German army and been<br />

recaptured by the Allies. This allowed units to maintain a<br />

level of strength to continue combat operations. Apart from<br />

replacing losses, this rather unconventional method also<br />

reinforced the 2nd Corps. An additional third brigade was<br />

formed for both infantry divisions, which was in line with<br />

the British order of battle. The 2nd Armoured Brigade was<br />

reinforced to become an armoured division in 1945. A new<br />

armoured brigade, the 14th “Wielkopolska”, and other new<br />

regiments were also formed. To support the operations of<br />

the 2nd Polish Corps was the 2nd Base Corps. This unit<br />

consisted of the 7th Infantry Division as a training reserve,<br />

an army training centre, four general hospitals and various<br />

support and service units.<br />

Polish<br />

The Poles Arrive in Italy<br />

Elements of the 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division began<br />

landing at Taranto on 21 December 1943. The transfer of<br />

all Polish units from Egypt and the Middle East continued<br />

until the middle of April 1944. These troops landed at the<br />

Italian ports of Taranto, Bari and Naples, which had been<br />

captured by the Allies. The 2nd Polish Corps was followed<br />

by 2nd Base Corps. The first Polish unit to see action in<br />

Italy was the Independent Commando Company. On 29<br />

December 1943, it took part in a diversionary raid with No<br />

9 Commando on the Gariglianio river estuary defences.<br />

Under the command of the 8th Army, Lieutenant General<br />

Wladislaw Anders led his fellow exiles of the 2nd Polish<br />

Corps with dash and determination. After the death of<br />

General Sikorski, Anders became the main influence of


Poles in Italy<br />

Polish hopes. To his countrymen he was an inspiration, and<br />

to his allies he was a military leader whose ability<br />

commanded the greatest respect.<br />

Gustav Line<br />

The Allied armies hoped to be in Rome by December of<br />

1943, and Churchill had assured Alexander “You will be in<br />

Rome by the end of the year”. A combination of weather,<br />

difficult going and skilful German defence had slowed the<br />

Allies advance to a crawl. Since 21 November 1943 Field<br />

Marshal Kesselring was appointed C-in-C Army Group C,<br />

a brilliant commander whose skill, imagination and<br />

flexibility in defence caused the Allies great difficulty. By<br />

December 1943, the defences of the Gustav Line had halted<br />

Alexander’s drive on Rome.<br />

The Gustav Line was the German main defence line in<br />

Italy, with Monte Cassino as its central point. It crossed the<br />

Italian peninsula at its narrowest and most mountainous<br />

region, where the mountains extended from the Tyrrhenian<br />

Sea in the west to the Adriatic Sea in the east.<br />

The first offensive against the Gustav Line started on 4<br />

January 1944 with US and French forces unable to break<br />

through by the beginning of February. The Indians and<br />

New Zealanders replaced the Americans for a new offensive<br />

on 15 February from Cassino to take Monte Cassino. Bad<br />

weather halted the attempt. The Germans replaced their<br />

15th Panzer Grenadier with the 1st Parachute Division<br />

during this period in the Cassino sector. For three months<br />

the Allies had been held at Monte Cassino, with every<br />

attack repulsed by the German paratroopers. Thus it was<br />

decided to outflank the monastery and not frontally assault<br />

it. The third offensive started on 15 March, which was<br />

preceded by an aerial bombardment aimed at total<br />

destruction of the monastery and the town of Cassino. This<br />

attack too had failed by 22 March.<br />

The 4th Battle of Cassino<br />

The 2nd Polish Corps was assigned to launch the fourth<br />

assault on the monastery, from the northern flank. The<br />

offensive started on the night of 11/12 May with the 5th<br />

“Kresowa” Infantry Division’s, 5th “Wilenska” Rifle<br />

Brigade to assault Saint Angelo hill, Points 706, 601 and<br />

575. This attack failed with heavy loses due mainly to<br />

German artillery. General Anders withdrew the division to<br />

its start line on the night of 12 May. The 3rd Carpathian<br />

Rifle Division’s, 1st Carpathian Rifle Brigade was to assault<br />

Point 593 (Mt Calvary) and Albaneta Farm. This attack<br />

succeeded at the start by taking Point 593 by surprise.<br />

However on 12 May the German paratroopers repeatedly<br />

assaulted the Polish defenders no less than four times. After<br />

desperate defence, the Poles were forced to withdraw.<br />

General Anders now had both divisions back at the start<br />

line. Both divisions attacked again four times on 13 and 14<br />

May. Another attack on 16 May by 6th “Lwowska” Rifle<br />

Brigade on the right and 2nd Carpathian Rifle Brigade on<br />

the left succeeded in capturing Point 593, Albaneta Farm<br />

and other German strongpoints near the monastery. On 18<br />

Poles raise their flag above the ruins of the Monte Cassino Monastery.


Poles in Italy<br />

May the 12th “Podolski” Lancers reached the monastery<br />

and hoisted the Polish flag. The Poles continued fighting<br />

until 25 May, when the positions of Saint Angelo hill, Point<br />

575, Passo Corno and Mount Cairo were captured. Eight<br />

hundred Polish soldiers had been killed in the battle.<br />

On the Adriatic Coast<br />

After the battles of Monte Cassino, the 2nd Polish Corps<br />

was deployed on the Adriatic coast. On 15 June the 3rd<br />

Carpathian Rifle Division replaced the 4th Indian Division<br />

and this sector now came under command of the 2nd Polish<br />

Corps. The 2nd Polish Corps headquarters was located at<br />

San Vito near Ortona. Additional British units also arrived<br />

to bolster the strength of the 2nd Polish Corps. The 17th<br />

and 26th Heavy Artillery Regiments Royal Artillery, the<br />

7th Queens Own Hussars and other units were placed under<br />

command of the 2nd Polish Corps. The 5th “Kresowa”<br />

Infantry Division arrived between 18 and 21 June, followed<br />

by the 2nd Polish Corps artillery and the 2nd Armoured<br />

Brigade.<br />

The Poles moved fast up the Adriatic coast and by 20 June<br />

were at the Aso River. As they advanced, stiffer German<br />

resistance was encountered around the Chienti River. This<br />

held up the Pole’s offensive temporarily, and by 6 July had<br />

captured Osini, which was only 10 miles south of the port<br />

Ancona. After a fierce battle the town was captured on 18<br />

July. On 19 July the Poles crossed the Esimo River, and<br />

encountered strong German opposition near Ostra. The<br />

Germans had brought part of the 71st Infantry Division and<br />

the 1st Fallschirmjager Division into this sector. It was<br />

another ten days before they reached the next river, the<br />

Misa. Another battle developed for the town of Senigallia.<br />

On 11 August, the Cesano River was crossed and by 22<br />

August the 2nd Polish Corps was across the Metauro River.<br />

This brought them to the edge of the Gothic Line.<br />

The Gothic Line<br />

The Allies now reorganised their forces before the<br />

impending assault on the Gothic Line. The 2nd Polish<br />

Corps was on the extreme right flank of the Adriatic coast,<br />

with the 1st Canadian Corps on its left. Operation Olive,<br />

the break-through in the Adriatic sector began on the night<br />

25/26 August. The 2nd Polish Corps opened the offensive,<br />

capturing the high ground north of the resort of Pesaro.<br />

Their task complete, the 2nd Polish Corps now withdrew to<br />

become a reserve force. After a short period of rest the 2nd<br />

Polish Corps returned to the battlefield and occupied<br />

Predappio, which was the birthplace of Mussolini, and<br />

Castrocaro on 27 October. The Poles bypassed Faenza,<br />

crossed the Lamone River and captured the town of<br />

Brisighella on their way to the Senio River. All operations<br />

ceased by the end of December 1944.<br />

Reorganisation<br />

During the period from October 1944 to January 1945, the<br />

2nd Polish Corps was reinforced and reorganised. The 3rd<br />

Carpathian Rifle Division and the 5th “Kresowa” Infantry<br />

Division had the 3rd Carpathian Rifle Brigade and the 4th<br />

“Wolynska” Rifle Brigade added respectively. The 2nd<br />

Armoured Brigade was reinforced into an armoured<br />

division with the addition of the Carpathian Lancer<br />

Regiment, 2nd Motorised Commando Battalion, 16th<br />

“Pomorska” Infantry Brigade, 4th Armoured Regiment<br />

“Skorpion”, 1st “Krechowieckich” Lancer Regiment and<br />

the 6th Armoured Regiment “Dzieci Lwowskich”.<br />

In January 1945 the Italian front was at a standstill. The 8th<br />

Army, after a series of hard fought river crossings stood on<br />

the banks of the Senio River. The country was sodden from<br />

winter rains and armoured operations were impossible.<br />

A Stab in the Back<br />

In early March 1945 General McCreery commander 8th<br />

Army, met with General Anders. During this discussion of<br />

the battle plan, Anders learned of the terms of the Yalta<br />

Agreement. It meant Poland would be handed over to a<br />

Communist regime to be a satellite state of the Soviet<br />

Union. General Anders said, “How can I ask my soldiers to<br />

go on fighting. I must withdraw them from the line.” To<br />

which McCreery said, “There were no troops to replace<br />

them and a 10 mile gap would be opened up.” Anders<br />

remained silent for a minute and said “You can count on the<br />

Polish 2nd Corps for this coming battle. We must defeat<br />

Hitler first.”<br />

The Final Offensive<br />

The final offensive to break the stalemate on the Italian<br />

front was scheduled for the night of 9 April 1945. The 2nd<br />

Polish Corps, spearheaded by the 3rd Carpathian Rifle<br />

Division attacked over the Senio River, north of the Via<br />

Emilia (Highway 9) towards Bologna. By 14 April the town<br />

of Imola was captured. At this point the Poles were<br />

confronted by their old enemy, the German 1st Parachute<br />

division. The Polish attack was so successful that the<br />

German 1st Fallschirmjager Division was completely<br />

disintegrated. The divisional flag was eventually presented<br />

to General Anders as a trophy. Bologna fell to the 3rd<br />

Carpathian Rifle Division on the morning of 21 April.<br />

Victory was declared in Italy on 2 May 1945.<br />

Polish<br />

Polish Special Rules<br />

The Polish forces in Italy were trained and organised along<br />

British lines and use the following British Special Rules:<br />

Carry On, Sergeant, Night Attack, Advance Under<br />

Darkness, Semi-indirect Fire, Eight-gun Batteries,<br />

Rounds on the Ground and Mike Target.<br />

For Your Freedom and Ours<br />

The Poles display remarkable bravery in combat, often<br />

pushing on to take objectives when any other men would of<br />

turned back.<br />

Polish Platoons fight to the last and may re-roll failed<br />

Platoon Morale Checks. If you are fielding a Polish<br />

Company, your Company Command team may re-roll<br />

Company Morale Checks.


KOMPANIA PIECHOTY<br />

(Infantry Company)<br />

A force based around a Kompania Piechoty must contain:<br />

• 1 Company HQ, and<br />

• 2 or 3 Piechoty Platoons.<br />

Weapons Platoons available to a Kompania Piechoty are:<br />

• 0 to 4 Carrier Patrols,<br />

• 0 to 1 additional Piechoty Platoon,<br />

• 0 to 1 Mortar Platoon,<br />

• 0 to 1 Anti-tank Platoon, and<br />

• 0 to 1 Pioneer Platoon.<br />

Support Platoons for a Kompania Piechoty can be:<br />

• 0 to 2 Machine-gun Platoons (p. 7),<br />

• 0 to 1 Heavy Mortar Platoon (p. 7),<br />

• 0 to 1 Armoured Platoon, or British Armoured<br />

Platoon (p. 59 Festung Europa, Italian Veteran) with:<br />

3 Sherman III or V (255 points). Arm any or all<br />

Sherman tanks with a 0.5 cal AA MG for +5 points.<br />

•<br />

•<br />

•<br />

•<br />

•<br />

0 to 1 Polish Recce Platoon,<br />

0 to 1 Sapper Platoon,<br />

0 to 2 Field Artillery Batteries,<br />

0 to 1 Self-propelled Anti-tank Platoon, or Divisional<br />

Anti-tank Platoon, and<br />

0 to 1 Light Anti-aircraft Platoon.<br />

You may have up to two Support Platoons attached to<br />

your company for each Piechoty Platoon you field.<br />

Motivation and Skill<br />

No solider is more motivated to fight the Germans than the<br />

Pole. While adequately equipped and armed by their<br />

British Allies, the soldiers of II Corps had seen little<br />

combat until being transferred to Italy in 1944. What they<br />

lack in training, they makeup for in bravery. A Kompania<br />

Piechoty is rated as Fearless Trained.<br />

HEADQUARTERS<br />

1 Company HQ<br />

KAPITAN<br />

KAPITAN<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

PIECHOTY PLATOON<br />

PIECHOTY PLATOON<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

PIECHOTY PLATOON<br />

KOMPANIA PIECHOTY<br />

Headquarters<br />

Company HQ<br />

30 points<br />

Options<br />

• Add Jeep or Troop Carrier for +5 points<br />

• Add up to three Sniper teams for<br />

+50 points per team.<br />

The core unit of the II Corps, the Polish Infantry<br />

company is modelled on the British system. A<br />

Kompania Piechoty is tough on offence, tougher<br />

on defence, and capable of achieving the difficult<br />

with the right leadership.<br />

Poles make theri way through the mountains of Italy.


Kompania Piechoty<br />

COMBAT Platoons<br />

2 or 3 Piechoty Platoons<br />

Platoon<br />

HQ Section with:<br />

3 Rifle Squads 160 points<br />

2 Rifle Squads 125 points<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

PIAT team<br />

There are a few veterans of previous wars<br />

sprinkled through the Piechoty platoons, and with<br />

their lessons, British arms, and Polish bravery,<br />

the soldiers of the platoons will soon be on their<br />

way back to Poland, the Germans fleeing before<br />

them.<br />

KAPRAL<br />

KAPRAL<br />

KAPRAL<br />

WEAPONS Platoons<br />

PIECHOTY PLATOON<br />

Polish<br />

0 to 4 Carrier Patrols<br />

Platoon<br />

3 Universal Carrier 85 points<br />

• Arm any or all Universal Carriers with an<br />

extra hull-mounted MG for +5 points per<br />

carrier or 0.5” MG for +10 points per<br />

carrier.<br />

• Replace up to one extra hull-mounted MG<br />

with a Boys anti-tank rifle or PIAT antitank<br />

projector at no cost.<br />

SIERZANT<br />

SIERZANT<br />

CARRIER SECTION<br />

CARRIER PATROL<br />

Scout Patrols equipped with Universal<br />

Carriers are Reconnaissance Platoons.<br />

Although the terrain often wasn’t suited for<br />

mobile warfare, Poles made excellent use of<br />

Carrier and Scout Car Patrols.<br />

Although purchased as separate platoons, all<br />

of your Scout Patrols deploy as a single<br />

platoon at the same time. For example, this<br />

means that you treat all Scout Patrols as a<br />

single platoon when calculating the number<br />

of platoons held in Ambush or Reserve.<br />

0 to 1 Piechoty Platoon<br />

Following British doctrine, additional rifle platoons were sometimes attached to support other companies.<br />

An additional Piechoty Platoon is organised exactly like those above.


Kompania Piechoty<br />

0 to 1 Mortar Platoon<br />

Observer<br />

Rifle team<br />

SIERZANT<br />

PIAT team<br />

Mortar Carrier Mortar Carrier<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

SIERZANT<br />

Troop Carrier<br />

Observer<br />

Rifle team<br />

SIERZANT<br />

PIAT team<br />

Mortar Carrier Mortar Carrier<br />

Platoon<br />

HQ Section with:<br />

3 Mortar Sections 195 points<br />

2 Mortar Sections 135 points<br />

1 Mortar Section 75 points<br />

Options<br />

• Add PIAT teams for +15 points per team.<br />

• Add Troop and Mortar Carriers to the<br />

platoon at no cost.<br />

The new ML 3” Mark II mortar is a big<br />

improvement over the old Mark I. Its increased<br />

range allows it to match the German weapons<br />

and cover a greater area. Added to the new<br />

mortar carriers, the mortar platoons are set to<br />

give the infantry immediate support, wherever<br />

and whenever needed.<br />

Observer<br />

Rifle team<br />

PIAT team<br />

Mortar Carrier<br />

Mortar Carrier<br />

0 to 1 Anti-tank Platoons<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

Troop Carrier<br />

HQ SECTION<br />

SIERZANT<br />

SIERZANT<br />

6 pdr gun Lloyd Carrier 6 pdr gun Lloyd Carrier<br />

6 pdr gun Lloyd Carrier 6 pdr gun Lloyd Carrier<br />

ANTI-TANK SECTION ANTI-TANK SECTION<br />

ANTI-TANK PLATOON<br />

Platoon<br />

HQ Section with:<br />

2 Anti-tank Sections 135 points<br />

1 Anti-tank Section 75 points<br />

The British 6 pounder is and improvement over<br />

what Poland had in 1939, and while not effective<br />

against newer German tanks, it is still a<br />

dangerous weapon in the right hands.<br />

The anti-tank gunners have the new tracked<br />

Lloyd Carrier to tow the gun into battle, giving<br />

it a good pace cross-country.


Kompania Piechoty<br />

0 to 1 Pioneer Platoon<br />

Platoon<br />

Pioneer Section with:<br />

2 Assault Squads 85 points<br />

1 Assault Squad 65 points<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

Option<br />

• Replace 15 cwt truck with an M5 halftrack<br />

for +5 points.<br />

KAPRAL<br />

KAPRAL<br />

The engineers of II Corps are imoprtant against<br />

the German defensive lines of Italy. German<br />

obstacles and fortifications do not last for long<br />

when they are around.<br />

You may replace up to one Pioneer Rifle<br />

team with a Flame-thrower team at the start<br />

of the game before deployment.<br />

0 to 2 Machine-gun Platoons<br />

SUPPORT Platoons<br />

Polish<br />

Platoon<br />

HQ Section with:<br />

2 Machine-gun Sections 145 points<br />

1 Machine-gun Section 80 points<br />

Options<br />

• Add PIAT team for +15 points.<br />

• Add Troop Carrier and MMG Carriers for<br />

+5 points for the platoon.<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

PIAT team Troop Carrier<br />

SIERZANT<br />

SIERZANT<br />

Vickers HMG MMG Carrier Vickers HMG MMG Carrier<br />

Polish HMG teams are just as capable as their<br />

British counterparts, and like them can use their<br />

weapons in either direct or indirect fire mode.<br />

Vickers HMG<br />

MMG Carrier<br />

Vickers HMG<br />

MMG Carrier<br />

0 to 1 Heavy Mortar Platoon<br />

Platoon<br />

HQ Section with:<br />

2 Mortar Sections 170 points<br />

1 Mortar Section 95 points<br />

Options<br />

• Add PIAT team for +15 points.<br />

• Add Troop Carriers and Lloyd Carriers to<br />

the platoon at no cost.<br />

Although few in numbers, the Heavy Mortar<br />

platoons are quickly gaining a reputation for quick,<br />

accurate fire support. In the moutains of Italy,<br />

where longer ranged indirect fire is hard for the<br />

artillery somedays, the Heavy Mortars are essential<br />

support for the Kompania.<br />

Observer<br />

Rifle team<br />

4.2” mortar 4.2” mortar<br />

Lloyd Carrier<br />

SIERZANT<br />

Lloyd Carrier<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

PIAT team<br />

Troop Carrier<br />

Troop Carrier<br />

4.2” mortar 4.2” mortar<br />

Lloyd Carrier<br />

SIERZANT<br />

Lloyd Carrier


ROZPOZAWCZY SZWADRON<br />

(Reconnaissance Mechanised Company)<br />

A force based around a Rozpozawaczy Szwadron must<br />

contain:<br />

• 1 Company HQ, and<br />

• 2 or 3 Recce Platoons.<br />

Weapons Platoons available to a Rozpozawaczy Szwadron<br />

are:<br />

• 0 to 1 Assault Platoon,<br />

• 0 to 1 Mortar Platoon, and<br />

• 0 to 1 Anti-tank Platoon.<br />

Support Platoons for a Rozpozawaczy Szwadron can be:<br />

• 0 to 1 Armoured Platoon, or British Armoured<br />

Platoon (p. 59 Festung Europa, Italian Veteran) with:<br />

3 Sherman III or V (255 points). Arm any or all<br />

Sherman tanks with a 0.5 cal AA MG for +5 points.<br />

•<br />

•<br />

•<br />

•<br />

•<br />

0 to 1 Piehoty Platoon,<br />

0 to 2 Machine-gun Platoons (p. 7),<br />

0 to 1 Heavy Mortar Platoon (p. 7),<br />

0 to 1 Field Artillery Battery,<br />

0 to 1 Light Anti-aircraft Platoon.<br />

You may have up to one Support Platoon attached to your<br />

company for each Rozpozawaczy Platoon that you field.<br />

Motivation and Skill<br />

Poland has one of the best and most noble cavalry<br />

traditions in all of Europe, from the Winged Hussars of<br />

King Jan to the Uhlans of Napoleon. While the Armoured<br />

Car has only recently supplanted the horse, the esprit and<br />

valor of the Polish Cavalry is not in doubt. A Rozpozawaczy<br />

Szwadron is rated as Fearless Trained.<br />

HEADQUARTERS<br />

1 Company HQ<br />

KAPITAN<br />

KAPITAN<br />

Headquarters<br />

Company HQ<br />

30 points<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

ROZPOZAWCZY SZWADRON<br />

The infantry division’s recce regiment leads the<br />

way, scouting ahead and locating the enemy’s<br />

weaknesses and strengths, probing for the soft<br />

spots. This intelligence is gathered and reported<br />

back in preparation for an attack on the enemy.<br />

The platoons operate on a wide and scattered<br />

front as they probe forwards. They must be<br />

careful not to be drawn into a sustained fight, a<br />

fight they can’t win. They leave the hard fighting<br />

to the division’s riflemen.<br />

The Company Command team of a<br />

Rozpozawaczy Szwadron is a Recce Team.


RECCE SQUADRON<br />

2 or 3 Rozpoznawczy Platoons<br />

COMBAT Platoons<br />

Platoon<br />

HQ Armoured Car with:<br />

2 Recce Sections 175 points<br />

1 Recce Section 110 points<br />

Options<br />

• Add Scout Patrols for +85 points per patrol.<br />

• Arm any or all Universal Carriers with an<br />

extra hull-mounted MG for +5 points per<br />

carrier or 0.5” MG for +10 points per carrier.<br />

• Replace up to one extra hull-mounted MG<br />

with a Boys anti-tank rifle or PIAT antitank<br />

projector at no cost.<br />

The Recce Patrol and Scout Patrols operate<br />

as separate platoons, each with their own<br />

Command team. Although its sections count<br />

as separate platoons for all other purposes, a<br />

Rozpoznawczy Platoon deploys all at the<br />

same time as a single platoon. For example,<br />

this means that you treat the entire<br />

Rozpoznawczy Platoon as a single platoon<br />

when calculating the number of platoons held<br />

in Ambush or Reserve.<br />

Recce and Scout Patrols are Reconnaissance<br />

Platoons.<br />

Humber IV<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

RECCE SECTION<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

Command Humber IV<br />

HQ ARMOURED CAR<br />

Humber IV<br />

RECCE PATROL<br />

SIERZANT<br />

SIERZANT<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

RECCE SECTION<br />

ROZPOZAWCZY PLATOON<br />

Polish<br />

WEAPONS Platoons<br />

0 to 1 Assault Platoon<br />

Platoon<br />

HQ Section with:<br />

4 Assault Squads 160 points<br />

3 Assault Squads 130 points<br />

2 Assault Squads 100 points<br />

Options<br />

• Add PIAT team for +15 points.<br />

• Replace all 15 cwt trucks with White<br />

Scout Cars or M5 half-tracks for +5 points<br />

for the platoon.<br />

SIERZANT<br />

Pioneer<br />

MG team<br />

SIERZANT<br />

15cwt<br />

truck<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

PIAT team<br />

Pioneer<br />

MG team<br />

SIERZANT<br />

SIERZANT<br />

15cwt<br />

truck<br />

0 to 1 Mortar Platoon<br />

The Mortar Platoon is shown on page 6.<br />

Pioneer<br />

MG team<br />

15cwt<br />

truck<br />

Pioneer<br />

MG team<br />

15cwt<br />

truck<br />

0 to 1 Anti-tank Platoon<br />

ASSAULT PLATOON<br />

The Anti-tank Platoon is shown on page 6.


DIVISIONAL SUPPORT<br />

Your force may have the following support platoons:<br />

• Sapper Platoons,<br />

• Field Artillery Batteries,<br />

• Armoured Platoons,<br />

• Self-propelled Anti-tank Platoons,<br />

• Divisional Anti-tank Platoons, and<br />

• Light Anti-aircraft Platoons.<br />

Motivation and Skill<br />

The divisional troops supporting Piehoty are all old hands<br />

who long ago ‘got their knees brown’ from the harsh desert<br />

sun. All Divisional Support Platoons are rated as Fearless<br />

Trained unless otherwise noted.<br />

Air Support<br />

Aircraft Priority Air Support Limited Air support<br />

Typhoon 220 points 170 points<br />

Hurricane II C 165 points 140 points<br />

Kittyhawk 160 points 130 points<br />

0 to 1 Sapper Platoon<br />

SIERZANT<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

SIERZANT<br />

Platoon<br />

HQ Section with:<br />

4 Sapper Sections 145 points<br />

3 Sapper Sections 115 points<br />

2 Sapper Sections 80 points<br />

Option<br />

• Add Pioneer Supply truck for +25 points.<br />

When you deploy your force at the start of<br />

a game you may elect to replace a Sapper<br />

Platoon with a Piechoty Platoon of the<br />

same or lower points value.<br />

SAPPER SECTION<br />

SAPPER SECTION<br />

SIERZANT<br />

SIERZANT<br />

SAPPER SECTION<br />

SAPPER SECTION<br />

SAPPER PLATOON<br />

Sappers are crucial to the advance. By clearing<br />

mines, repairing bridges and roads, and other<br />

German obstacles, they help II Corps stay on the<br />

heels of its German enemies. They know their<br />

value lies in what the do to the battlefield, not on<br />

it, and they will often withdraw rather than fight.<br />

Their fellow Poles do not begrudge them this<br />

though, knowing that the road to Poland would<br />

be much harder to travel if the Sappers were not<br />

there to clear it.<br />

Sapper Platoons may not launch assaults, nor<br />

may they Counterattack if assaulted. Sapper<br />

Platoons will always attempt to Break Off at<br />

the earliest opportunity.<br />

10


DIVISIONAL SUPPORT<br />

0 to 2 Field Artillery Batteries<br />

Platoon<br />

HQ Troop with:<br />

Two Gun Troops with a total of:<br />

4 Gun Sections 330 points<br />

One Gun Troop with:<br />

2 Gun Sections 190 points<br />

1 Gun Section 120 points<br />

KAPITAN<br />

KAPITAN<br />

Options<br />

• Add 15 cwt trucks and Quad tractors at<br />

no cost<br />

• Replace the HQ Troop jeep with a White<br />

scout car for +5 points.<br />

SIERZANT<br />

OP Carrier<br />

SIERZANT<br />

Polish artillerymen have been well trained by<br />

their British allies, and are just as competent in<br />

handling their weapons as their Allies. The Poles<br />

have a surfeit of Artillery weapons, and will put<br />

them to good use when they are needed.<br />

Although a Field Artillery Battery is a single<br />

Support choice, each Gun Troop operates as a<br />

separate platoon with its own Command<br />

team. The HQ Troop Command team and<br />

Staff team are Independent teams. If the HQ<br />

Troop Command team joins a Gun troop, it<br />

becomes the Platoon Command Team.<br />

Although they count as separate platoons for<br />

all other purposes, an Field Artillery Battery<br />

deploys as a single platoon, all at the same<br />

time. For example, both Gun Troops are<br />

treated as a single platoon when calculating<br />

the number of platoons held in Ambush or<br />

Reserve.<br />

KAPITAN<br />

KAPITAN<br />

OP Carrier<br />

Polish<br />

SIERZANT<br />

SIERZANT<br />

11


DIVISIONAL SUPPORT<br />

0 to 1 Armoured Platoon<br />

SIERZANT<br />

Sherman tank<br />

TANK<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

Command Sherman tank<br />

HQ TANK<br />

ARMOURED PLATOON<br />

KAPRAL<br />

Sherman tank<br />

TANK<br />

Platoon<br />

3 Sherman III 240 points<br />

Options<br />

• Arm any or all Sherman tanks with a 0.5 cal<br />

AA MG for +5 points per tank.<br />

While not the equivalent of some German tanks,<br />

the Shermans of the 2nd Armoured Brigade are<br />

more than a match for many of them. With all<br />

the Firefly’s being needed for the upcoming<br />

invasion of France the Poles in Italy didn’t get<br />

any until after February 1945.<br />

Polish Sherman parked next to a British Staghound armoured car.<br />

0 to 1 Self-propelled Anti-tank Platoon<br />

SIERZANT<br />

Command M10 3”SP<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

SIERZANT<br />

M10 3”SP<br />

Platoon<br />

HQ Section with:<br />

2 Anti-tank Sections 290 points<br />

1 Anti-tank Section 145 points<br />

The Poles had 24 M-10’s, which were part of the<br />

7th Self-propelled Anti-tank Regiment.<br />

M10 3”SP<br />

M10 3”SP<br />

SELF-PROPELLED ANTI-TANK PLATOON<br />

12


DIVISIONAL SUPPORT<br />

0 to 1 Divisional Anti-tank Platoon<br />

Platoon<br />

HQ Section with:<br />

2 Anti-tank Sections 135 points<br />

1 Anti-tank Section 75 points<br />

Option<br />

• Replace all 6 pdr guns and Lloyd Carriers<br />

with 17 pdr guns and M5 half-tracks for<br />

+45 points per Anti-tank Section.<br />

When the companies own anti-tank assets may<br />

not be enough, the guns of the division are often<br />

added to help out.<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

Troop Carrier<br />

HQ SECTION<br />

SIERZANT<br />

SIERZANT<br />

6 pdr gun Lloyd Carrier 6 pdr gun Lloyd Carrier<br />

6 pdr gun Lloyd Carrier 6 pdr gun Lloyd Carrier<br />

ANTI-TANK SECTION ANTI-TANK SECTION<br />

ANTI-TANK PLATOON<br />

0 to 1 Light Anti-aircraft Platoon<br />

Platoon<br />

HQ Section with:<br />

2 Gun Sections 150 points<br />

1 Gun Section 85 points<br />

Option<br />

• Replace all Bofors 40mm guns and AA<br />

tractors with Oerlikon 20mm SP at no<br />

cost, or with Bofors 40mm SP for<br />

+35 points per Anti-aircraft Section.<br />

While the wail of Stukas and other German<br />

Machines are no longer as prevalent, they still<br />

make sorties from time to time. With it’s light<br />

anti-aircraft guns, the Divisional Anti-aircraft<br />

Platoon is quite capable of keeping the skies<br />

over the Infantry clear of enemy planes.<br />

SIERZANT<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

PORUCZNIK<br />

SIERZANT<br />

Polish<br />

Poles advance around the hills of Monte Cassino.<br />

13


ARSENAL<br />

POLISH ARSENAL<br />

TANK TEAMS<br />

Armour<br />

Name Mobility Front Side Top Equipment and Notes<br />

Weapon Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower<br />

Medium Tanks<br />

Sherman III Fully-tracked 6 4 1 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Tow hook.<br />

M3 75mm gun 32”/80cm 2 10 3+ Semi-indirect fire, Smoke.<br />

Self-propelled Anti-aircraft Guns<br />

Oerlikon 20mm SP Wheeled - - -<br />

Oerlikon 20mm gun 16”/40cm 4 5 5+ Anti-aircraft.<br />

Bofors 40mm SP Wheeled - - - Awkward layout.<br />

Bofors 40mm gun 24”/60cm 4 6 4+ Anti-aircraft.<br />

Self-propelled Anti-tank Guns<br />

M10 3” SP Fully-tracked 4 2 0 .50 cal AA MG.<br />

M7 3” gun 32”/80cm 2 12 3+ Slow traverse.<br />

Reconnaissance<br />

Universal Carrier Half-tracked 0 0 0 Hull MG.<br />

With Boys anti-tank rifle 16”/40cm 2 4 5+ Hull-mounted<br />

With PIAT anti-tank projector 8”/20cm 1 10 5+ Hull-mounted<br />

With .5” MG 16”/40cm 3 4 5+ Hull-mounted<br />

Humber LRC III Jeep 0 0 0 Turret Front MG.<br />

Boys anti-tank rifle 16”/40cm 2 4 5+<br />

Armoured Cars<br />

Humber IV Wheeled 1 0 0 Co-ax MG.<br />

M5 37mm gun 24”/60cm 2 7 4+<br />

Vehicle Machine-guns<br />

Vehicle MG 16”/40cm 3 2 6 ROF 1 if other weapons fire.<br />

.50 cal Vehicle MG 16”/40cm 3 4 5+ ROF 1 if other weapons fire.<br />

GUN TEAMS<br />

Weapon Mobility Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes<br />

Vickers HMG Man-packed 24”/60cm 6 2 6 ROF 2 when pinned down.<br />

Firing bombardments 40”/100cm - - -<br />

ML 3” Mk II mortar Man-packed 40”/100cm - 2 6 Smoke bombardment.<br />

ML 4.2” mortar Light 48”/120cm - 3 4+ Smoke bombardment.<br />

Bofors 40mm gun Immobile 24”/60cm 4 6 4+ Anti-aircraft, Turntable.<br />

OQF 6 pdr gun Medium 24”/60cm 3 10 4+ Gun shield.<br />

OQF 17 pdr gun Immobile 32”/80cm 2 13 3+ Gun shield, No HE.<br />

OQF 25 pdr gun Heavy 24”/60cm 2 9 3+ Gun shield, Smoke, Turntable.<br />

Firing bombardments 80”/200cm - 4 5+ Smoke bombardment.<br />

Aircraft<br />

Aircraft Weapon To Hit Anti-tank Firepower Notes<br />

Typhoon Cannon 3+ 8 5+<br />

Rockets 3+ 6 3+<br />

Hurricane IIC Cannon 3+ 8 5+<br />

Bombs 4+ 5 2+<br />

Kittyhawk MG 3+ 6 5+<br />

Bombs 4+ 5 2+<br />

14


INFANTRY TEAMS<br />

Team Range ROF Anti-tank Firepower Notes<br />

Rifle team 16”/40cm 1 2 6<br />

Rifle/MG team 16”/40cm 2 2 6<br />

MG team 16”/40cm 3 2 6<br />

SMG team 4”/10cm 3 1 6 Full ROF when moving.<br />

Light Mortar team 16”/40cm 1 1 4+ Smoke, Can fire over friendly teams.<br />

PIAT team 8”/20cm 1 10 5+ Tank Assault 4.<br />

Staff team cannot shoot Moves as a Heavy Gun team.<br />

Additional Training and Equipment<br />

Pioneer teams are rated as Tank Assault 3.<br />

Polish<br />

Polish Machine-gun team.<br />

TRANSPORT TEAMS<br />

Armour<br />

Vehicle Mobility Front Side Top Equipment and Notes<br />

Jeep Jeep - - -<br />

CMP 15 cwt or 3-ton truck Wheeled - - -<br />

Quad or Morris AA tractor Wheeled - - -<br />

White scout car Jeep 1 0 0<br />

M5 half-track Half-tracked 1 0 0<br />

Troop, OP, Mortar, or Lloyd Carrier Half-tracked 0 0 0<br />

MMG Carrier Half-tracked 0 0 0 HMG Carrier, Passenger-fired hull MG.<br />

15


2nd Polish Corps Order of Battle 1944-1945<br />

Corps Headquarters<br />

5th “Kresowa” Infantry Division<br />

12th “Podolski” Lancer Regiment<br />

Headquarters<br />

7th Armoured Regiment<br />

4th “Wolynska” Rifle Brigade<br />

7th Anti-tank Regiment<br />

10th, 11th, 12th Infantry Battalion<br />

7th Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment<br />

5th “Wilenska” Rifle Brigade<br />

8th Medium Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment<br />

13th “Rysiow”, 14th “Zbikow”,<br />

1st Artillery Survey Regiment<br />

5th “Wilkow” Infantry Battalion<br />

663 AOP<br />

6th “Lwowska” Rifle Brigade<br />

2nd Artillery Group Headquarters<br />

16th, 17th, 18th Infantry Battalion<br />

9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th Medium Artillery<br />

5th Machine Gun Battalion<br />

Regiments<br />

25th “Wielkopolska” Lancer Regiment<br />

2nd Corp Engineer Group Headquarters<br />

4th, 5th, 6th Light Artillery Regiment<br />

10th, 20th Engineer Battalion<br />

5th Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment<br />

11th Railway Engineer Battalion<br />

5th Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment<br />

11th Signal Battalion<br />

5th “Kresowa” Rifle Division Engineer Battalion<br />

2nd Corp Military Police Group<br />

5th “Kresowa” Rifle Division Signal Battalion<br />

Various service units including Transport, Medical,<br />

Ordinance, Electrical & Mechanical Engineers,<br />

Geographic, Legal, Pay etc.<br />

2nd “Warszawska” Armoured Division<br />

(Formed late 1944)<br />

Headquarters<br />

2nd Armoured Brigade<br />

4th Armoured Regiment “Skorpion”<br />

1st “Krechowieckich” Lancer Regiment<br />

6th Armoured Regiment “Dzieci Lwowskich”<br />

2nd Motorised Commando Battalion<br />

16th “Pomorska” Infantry Brigade<br />

64th, 65th, 66th Infantry Battalion<br />

16th Support Company<br />

2nd Armoured Division Artillery<br />

7th Horse Artillery Regiment<br />

16th “Pomorska” Light Artillery Regiment<br />

2nd Anti-tank Regiment<br />

2nd Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment<br />

Carpathian Lancer Regiment<br />

9th Tank Replacement Squadron<br />

2nd Armoured Division Engineers<br />

2nd Armoured Division Signal Battalion<br />

3rd Carpathian Rifle Division<br />

Headquarters<br />

1st Carpathian Rifle Brigade<br />

1st, 2nd, 3rd Infantry Battalion<br />

2nd Carpathian Rifle Brigade<br />

4th, 5th, 6th Infantry Battalion<br />

3rd Carpathian Rifle Brigade<br />

7th, 8th Infantry Battalion,<br />

9th “Bolonski” Infantry Battalion<br />

3rd Machine Gun Battalion<br />

7th “Lubelskich” Lancer Regiment<br />

1st, 2nd, 3rd Light Artillery Regiment<br />

3rd Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment<br />

3rd Light Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment<br />

3rd Carpathian Rifle Division Engineer Battalion<br />

3rd Carpathian Rifle Division Signal Battalion<br />

14th “Wielkopolska” Armoured Brigade<br />

Headquarters<br />

15th “Poznanski” Lancer Regiment<br />

3rd “Slaskich” Lancer Regiment<br />

10th Hussars Regiment<br />

14th Tank Replacement Squadron<br />

14th Engineer Company<br />

14th Signal Squadron<br />

2nd Base Corps<br />

7th Infantry Division<br />

Headquarters<br />

17th Infantry Brigade<br />

21st, 22nd, 23rd Infantry Battalion<br />

17th Machine Gun Company<br />

17th Artillery Regiment<br />

17th Engineer Company<br />

17th Signal Company<br />

Army Training Centre<br />

Chief Instructor Office (Arms)<br />

Special Courses<br />

Infantry School<br />

Artillery School<br />

Signal School<br />

Wireless School<br />

Chief Instructor Office (Services)<br />

ASC School<br />

Ordnance School<br />

EME School<br />

Administration School<br />

Armoured Corp Training School<br />

School of Engineering<br />

Polish Wing CMTC<br />

16

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